[Youth-outreach] Sparks Mentoring Resource

[Olivero, Treva]

This is an interesting resource. It's another idea for training mentors and others in your programs who work with youth.  

Treva
-----Original Message-----
From: MENTOR [mailto:onlineservices at mentoring.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 10:00 AM
To: Olivero, Treva
Subject: MENTOR Minute, March 1, 2011

MENTOR Minute: One Page, One Minute on Mentoring


Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota Helps Kids Find Their Spark

March 1, 2011: The Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota (MPM), a MENTOR affiliate, and the Search Institute have collaborated on new tools and training for mentors to become "Sparks Champions" who can help young people discover what motivates them in a positive way.

Extensive Search Institute research into the Sparks concept, which is defined as something that gives a person's life meaning and purpose, shows that only 62 percent of teenagers can clearly name their own spark; furthermore, only 37 percent of teenagers can identify adults who know and support their spark.

But, when young people know their spark and have adults who support it, they are more likely to have a sense of purpose, be socially competent and physically healthy, volunteer to help others and have better attendance and higher grades in school. In addition, they are less likely to experience depression and/or engage in acts of violence toward others. 

The free, downloadable resources, supported through a grant from the Carlson Family Foundation, include Sparks Conversation Starters; Exploring Possible Sparks with Mentors; Using Sparks in the Classroom; Ideas for Sparks in Middle School and High School; and Sparks and the 40 Developmental Assets. MPM also is offering onsite, customized training for mentors and staff members in organizations wanting to use the Sparks initiative.

Joellen Gonder-Spacek, executive director of MPM, said, "Since we launched the Sparks resources, we have had tremendous demand for them. These online tools and interactive trainings are a natural extension for the mentoring community. Mentors and caring adults in young people's lives are anxious to learn more about how they can help young people identify and pursue their 'sparks' to contribute to a better world. Helping young people identify and understand what gives their lives meaning is a tremendous gift that mentors are perfectly poised to give."

"Sparks is another example of the outstanding service MPM is offering programs throughout Minnesota so they can provide quality mentoring that can contribute to a successful future for young people," said MENTOR President and CEO Dr. Larry Wright.

For more information on Sparks and to access the free resources for mentors, visit www.mpmn.org/sparks.aspx. For more information on youth mentoring, go to www.mentoring.org. 



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